Valentine’s day guide

As holidays go, Valentine’s Day somehow stumps everyone in terms of gift giving. Regardless of who you are shopping for, the ideas seem to stop flowing at the instant thought of anything “V-day” related. Whether you are shopping for your best friend, boyfriend, girlfriend or other, there may be a solution to your shopping woes.

The www.etsy.com has a little bit of everything. The site includes items such as art and paper goods (this means cards too). To go a step further,this underestimated website includes its very own Valentine’s Day shopping page to help last-minute shoppers who are in need of the perfect gift. If this doesn’t sound like a good enough idea, with sellers eager to make an buck, most will guarantee your item by Valentine’s Day.

TJ’s tips on love

By: T.J. Brennan

As Valentine’s Day approaches, it’s inevitable that guys will worry if they’re doing things right. If you’re a little nervous about trying to show your girl a great night, there are three simple things that you can do to make this Valentine’s Day special.

First, remember it’s all about her. Girls love when they’re appreciated, so be a gentleman by opening the door for her, pulling out her chair and being respectful. Greeting her with flowers and chocolate is cliché, but it works. The more special you make her feel, the better the night will go.

One year, I spent weeks thinking of the perfect way to profess my love for my Valentine. I bought a bouquet of a dozen long-stem roses, a big heart-shaped box of Russell Stover chocolates, a DVD of her favorite movie and a fake rose. I stuck the fake rose in the bouquet, and in the card I wrote, “Now look at the roses….I’ll love you ‘till the last one dies.” This was probably the corniest thing I’ve ever done, but I will never forget how her eyes lit up and the smile on her face.

The second thing to keep in mind is that the card is very important. A Hallmark card with a cute saying about love is nice, but a handmade card shows that you put thought and effort into it. When it comes to the content of the card, make it personal.

The best card I ever made was using the opening stanza to William Blake’s “Auguries of Innocence” to express my feelings for my girlfriend at the time. For example, I used the line “To see a world in a grain of sand” to say that I often find myself getting lost while gazing into her big, green eyes. Corny I know–but she absolutely loved it.

The third and maybe the most important piece of advice is to be yourself. You probably aren’t as corny as I am, so definitely don’t force it. Girls can tell whether a guy is being sincere, so don’t try to trick them.

“The Vow”

By: Shaniel Champagnie

“The Vow,” to be released in theaters Feb. 10, just in time for Valentine’s day weekend, shows viewers the true meaning of the marital vows “For better or for worse, in sickness and health.”

Imagine, after years, finally exchanging vows with the one you love, but that person losing memory of all those precious moments after a horrible car crash. This is what happened to Leo and Paige of “The Vow.” Leo is determined to (once again) win the heart of his wife, Paige, whose last memory is being in love with her ex-fiancé, after regaining consciousness.

“The Vow,” which stars Channing Tatum and Rachel McAdams, is adapted from a book based on the true experiences of Kim and Krickitt Carpenter. The movie is expected to take viewers on the emotional rollercoaster experienced by the couple.

McAdams, who spoke with neurosurgeons and with Krickitt Carpenter to prepare for the challenges of her role, told USA Today: “It was interesting finding out that people who have brain trauma, and the tape is erased and they’re not necessarily going to get those memories back, they will still find their way back kind of unconsciously (to) where they left off before the accident.”

Students have mixed feelings about “The Vow.” Some see it as the typical cliché Valentine’s Day movie, while the hopeless romantics are excited to see this film.

Junior Efa Akutekha, does not plan to see the film. She said, “I’ve seen these two lead actors in one too many dramatic love stories. It’s getting old.”

Sophomore Dominic Netto, said he is excited to see the movie.

“For someone to have to prove their love to another after a traumatizing experience is a godly act…it shows the truth within the commitment that is marriage,” Netto said.

What is seemingly a more somber version of comedic film “50 First Dates,” “The Vow” is expected to be a refreshing film, affirming the importance of the union of marriage.

‘This Means War’

By: Christopher Spall

The perennial love-triangle theme forms the basis of this film as two CIA Agents find that they have both fallen for the same woman. What ensues is a spy vs. spy game of one-upmanship to see who can win the girl. The cast includes “Star Trek” newbie Chris Pine and “Inception” star Tom Hardy as the two agents and rom-com veteran Reese Witherspoon as the object of affection.

Although this film has not opened yet, the online trailers and TV spots have generated a wide range of opinions among the college crowd.

“It looks like something that couples can go see, because it’s not the usual romantic chick-flick,” junior Elizabeth Parr said.

It is very true that this film has the potential to carve out its own niche by bringing in male and female viewers through its combination of a romantic background and action elements.

“It has something for everyone,” senior Amanda Taylor said. “A love story for girls and guns and explosions for guys.”

When commenting on the mixed genres, junior Matt Bartel said, “I like a good action flick, but there’s a limit. I just think a serious organization like the CIA and romance seems pretty goofy and off key.”

This all sounds very promising now, but movie goers will be the real judges this Valentine’s Day.